At Ecofieldtrips, safety is of paramount importance on all our field programmes. Every precaution is taken during our trips to minimise risk and ensure the safety and well-being of each participant throughout all activities.
STAFF
All our staff are qualified Biologists, Geographers, Outdoor Educators or Nature Guides who are passionate about conservation and education. They are all either First Aid or Emergency First Responder certified and competent swimmers, most are qualified divers, and have been trained extensively on our Emergency Action Procedure and other safety protocols. Our staff are trained in group control, both in, and out of the water, and safety is our primary concern on all of our field trips.
* A state-registered nurse can be hired at an additional cost for fieldtrips if required.
SOP AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Ecofieldtrips has extensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documentation for each trip location that is reviewed annually, and also carry out Risk Assessments at each activity location every 6 months. We are happy to provide these to schools upon request.
SNORKELLING/DIVING
Ecofieldtrips conduct all snorkeling activities in group sizes of 10-12 students maximum to 1 EFT staff member and encourage schools to additionally supply 1 teacher per activity group. If snorkeling or diving is included in our programme, an introductory snorkel is included in the first day of activities to assess water ability of all students and increase their familiarity and comfort of the activity and location.
Snorkeling & SCUBA diving activities have enforced safe-practice policies and procedures (outlined in our SOP). During all snorkeling or diving activities, all students must wear the required safety gear; wet shoes/dive booties, rash vest and life jacket (provided).
All Ecofieldtrips staff assigned to diving activities are certified SCUBA divers at divemaster or instructor level. All dives are preceded by stringent checks & briefings.
TRANSPORTATION
Ecofieldtrips only uses licensed bus/coach and ferry companies for transfers within fieldtrips. For all passengers, it is our requirement that all buses have a working seat-belt and each ferry has sufficient life vests.
For transfers to Tioman Island, we travel on ferries operated by the Bistari Gemilang Shipping Co. (also known as Bluewater) whose registration information for each vessel can be found on the Port Authority website of Malaysia.
Please click here: http://www.marine.gov.my/jlmeng/index.asp